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In my quest to create a ‘Modern Mountain Cabin’ in the Scandinavian style I’ve searched hard for materials that both Brian and I love that make sense for the house. Brian loved pebbles more than me, but i liked them (and I’m a wonderful wife) so I made it happen. But, WOOD is one in which we both love and know is appropriate for a mountain house. The problem is that wood in a bathroom can be tricky (unless it’s a powder). Sure you can build a custom vanity out of wood, or put it on the walls and ceiling and yes, some people have wood flooring, but there are some drawbacks to those (namely beautiful wood is expensive and even with sealing I don’t trust it completely). What’s a solution? As I was researching and shopping I was SHOCKED to find myself attracted to wood style motif tiles – you heard that right – TILES INSPIRED BY WOOD or what we are calling “wood inspired tiles”.

That last phrase generally conjures up wood printed porcelain tiles, like the below but that is NOT what I’m talking about.

Wood on walls that ‘pretends’ to be tile but fail in looking the part is another story (and yes, I’ll be addressing it because the porcelain wood category has upped its game in a shocking way and I can’t wait to ask you about it).

What I’m talking about is ‘wood inspired tile’.

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There are some, like the below that give the feeling of ‘cabin’ while being a material that is definitely not trying to be ‘wood’.

I’m attracted to it, but its too bright and playful for this house.

It can often go in a direction that gets a bit ‘funky’, like below.

But when done in a certain way I can see how it can work in our ‘Modern Mountain Cabin’.

What I’m more considering for this home is what you see below – tile that gives the texture and warmth of wood, but in a way that feels modern and fresh.

Now, will that ‘modern and fresh’ feel dated in a few years? THEREIN LIES THE QUESTION.

It’s almost like it was stamped with a wood grain texture instead of printed with the color/pattern.

That above and below are beautiful in my mind and if they were white, why wouldn’t I love that?

We are constantly trying to do something new and editorial but in a timeless way. GOOD LUCK. We need to take risks, but not hate them in a few years. HA.

The below also comes in white (it’s brand new so no great product photography yet). And if I liked brown I would LOVE this, but I think it’s more successful in white because it’s definitely not trying to be wood.

Here’s what it looks like in real life. The below tiles are what I’m actually considering for the mountain house. They evoke ‘wood’ without trying to emulate it. They have a beautiful texture but are subtle in pattern.

They are all tiles that can go in the shower surround, floor or wall and they are handmade so they don’t look or feel cheap.

from Cle can be oriented either way and because it’s a cement tile I’d likely use it on walls or backsplash but pair it with some brass, black, blues or green then I’m pretty excited.

It’s a little playful, but modern and in a ‘Scandinavian cabin’ sort of way – but references the mountains.

The , above was the first that made me excited/question the idea. It’s so pretty and simple in person. If that were in a shower surround I would be all over it (in it).

But historically we are taught to avoid things that are trying to be “natural”. It could be gimmicky, feel forced or try-hard. But when done simply, subtley and in a high end, handcrafted way then do we still let our snobbery make the call?

If someone proposed this idea to me without showing me samples I would be like ‘oh hell no, sister’, which is why we got the samples and took the above pics here in the studio. Seeing the real version really helps and when you see them and they are beautiful it makes you think. Could this be the ‘wood’ element that we need? Could this evoke ‘cabin’ in a modern way? Could we take the risk but pair it with other finishes that compliment it in a way that feels timeless?

Below are the ones that I am into and actually considering. For our house I’d likely do the lighter versions, mostly because I apparently am unable to do dark spaces.

1. | 2. (Black) | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. (White)

But the question is up to you. Can THESE wood inspired tiles be cool? Not just any. I realize the idea is questionable but one of my favorite things to do in life is play devil’s advocate and challenge the status quo. If the world is against wood printed tile, I get that. But is there a version, like these, that is actually beautiful and does the job we need in a simpler way?

Please let me know your thoughts below including whether you think it could work or not.

Wood you consider this tile?

I ‘wood’….. I ‘wood’ not.

I Design, You Decide

Wood Tile

Option

I 'Wood'

68 %

Option

I 'Wood' Not

32 %

(Vote by Monday, April 2nd to have your voice heard.)

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A five-night stay at the cabin this summer (with some blackout dates, of course, because our family uses it) with $1,000 towards travel expenses (if you live driving distance then it’s just fun money, or if you live internationally then we will cover up to $1,000 of your expenses. So, all the international readers please feel free to participate and enter as well). We’ll make it a dream trip! Including cocktails out on the lake with me.

I think you need to visit Scandinavia, your being too literal with this whole “cabin” vibe. I was so excited about this refined chalet series but the more I read about it the more I’m like meh. Definite no on the faux wood and pebble stone

You can be inspired by a feeling of a place without needing to actually be accurate in every choice. If someone said they were doing a PNW style house but used a species of wood that doesn’t grow in Oregon I wouldn’t care if the general vibe felt pacific northwest. It’s a tricky line that maybe I need to clarify. This house is in the mountains of California, covered in trees. So I want that simple, paired back but warm feeling, with a lot of neutrals and calming tones that is done so well in Scandinavia ….just in our California mountains 🙂

Absolutely…! And as my husband’s family on his mother’s side is from Denmark and Sweden, I can vouch for the fact that there is something in the Scandinavian psyche that does genuinely yearn for wood, natural textures, and a warm and light feel – and this is not a recent phenomenon…!
If you connect with this for your house in the mountains and woods, why not… Maybe with some little adjustments for the fact that the light in California is different…
And I really like the first tile (a great discovery) – however I think this would only work if you can establish the right balance with the existing real wood in the house and the house….

Why not get real & go there to have a proper look. Scandinavians must be getting a bit over the “Scandi Look” that’s promoted everywhere and probably feels inauthentic and superficial to them most of the time. Is it your job to set this right? No.

But: this is clearly a global blog with a world-wide readership. Why not do some proper fieldwork, take us along, give some local designers a bit of a plug, do a genuine reinterpretation of the look. It’s probably not possible because of the time-constraints, but all that rushing is just such a shame. Why not ask the boss for an extension on the mountain house? 😉

I like the porcelain tile and the real pebbles in white but faux wood is just too much. I have porcelain tile that looks like marble, but I didn’t try to imitate marble I simply loved the tile and the look more than the marble i saw in stores.

No to these kind of tiles! They feel cheesy, fake, and like they’re trying way too hard. They don’t seem genuine in the Scandi sort of style. Plus, they feel trendy. Ugh. (But I do love you! You are not cheesy or fake. You are the opposite of these tiles. ☺️)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those end grain tiles!!! Not a fan of #5, it looks like a cheap printed tile, but the rest are beautiful and different, without looking like they’ll feel dated in a few years. Can’t wait to see what you do with these!

What about teak or ipe wood in a bathroom? I have a full bathroom with each one as the floor, and it works. Heck, they make decks and patio furniture out of these woods, so why would they be a problem in a bathroom? I really don’t understand why more people don’t use them in bathrooms. It’s warm and feels very authentic to my colonial house and we have had the ipe for about 10 years with zero water issues — and that’s in a kids’ bathroom! I am one who loathes the feel of tile underfoot and these hearty woods have been the perfect solution for me.

AGREED NOOOOOOOOOOO. This will 1000000000% date itself. This look is ALREADY dated in commercial design. We used a lot of this a year or two ago and are BORED of it. Please don’t do it. This is one where your professional opinion NEEDS to veto popular vote.

I have no doubt that you can not only pull it off but do so spectacularly, and I can’t wait to see what you do with this. BUT I’m really not a fan. Especially with sample #5, which looks too try hard. Generally speaking, so leaving room for exceptions, I don’t like it when something is trying to be something else. Just get the actual thing you want or explore an entirely different option. But I don’t want to be negative because I really think your talent will make this look good.

Cleaning these tiles would almost require a pressure washer – how else would you get into the grain and make sure it isn’t getting all gunked up? Ugh, the thought of soap scum or toothpaste staring at you from the fake wood grain makes me want to keel over. IDK about you, but for me this mountain house would be all about no- or low-maintenance, not hunched over and chiseling dirt out of tiny crevasses with a tooth pick.

Agreed. Not only do I not like this look, it would be a ridiculous to clean, and only someone who never cleans their own bathrooms would consider installing it. Don’t do it. If you can’t help yourself, go with option 1 and keep it away from the shower or anywhere that might get grimey.

This is where my mind went. We have a large, active (read “incredibly dirty”) family, and I cannot imagine trying to keep these clean and beautifully white. Your precious babies will all too soon be of the “dirty urchin” phase of life and those grooves will make you want to poke toothpicks in your eyeballs when you think about cleaning them. I love the things you design—and wish I could live in your Insta rooms, but this is one place where the reality really might not live up to the beautiful plan!

I voted for “I wood” but I don’t love #5. That one looks a little to try hard for me, the other light options feel a little more abstract and subtle. To me they come off more as textured and less like “Look at me, I’m fake wood!”

If you do not want to do an easily cleanable smooth wood-grain porcelain for a bath space or a kitchen backsplash or floor (which I probably would not opt for due to fakitude unless really, really good), then why not bring in the in-your-face grain by way of wallpaper or a removable wallpaper, which can be easily undone if hated right away or in a few years?

No, no no. It absolutely will look dated. It has been popular out here for at least five years and is already on the way out. It reminds me of a veterinary practice, or fake brick tiles that were really popular in the 1980s. Please go with a warm terracotta or something.

We installed “wood” porcelain tiles on our floors a few months ago. My first reaction to the idea was also no way, but when the samples came they looked so much nicer than the other options that would work with our site conditions. On the floors, they look great and have fooled nearly everyone who didn’t know beforehand that we’d installed tile. We’re really happy with them. That said, on the walls I think they’d look pretty cheesy. You don’t expect wood on the walls in a bathroom or a kitchen backsplash, so the material’s imperfections are more likely to stand out incongruously.

We just moved out of a house that had the “wood-look” porcelain tile you describe as “printed” — and it had a stamped texture on it, so I think your distinction between that and the ones you prefer is not quite right. Not sure I’d put wood-look in a house where I was choosing finishes, but it was definitely durable and easy to clean. Option 1 of your preferred tile, the John Whitmarsh, looks HELLISH to clean with those sharp uneven edges.

I really like the end grain block tile (option 1) – it does feel like a warm, modern homage to wood, and has a great visual texture. The rest look a bit cheesy to me. I thought I liked the Ann Sacks as well (as I generally like Ann Sacks everything), until the shot of you holding the sheet of it. That shot of it looks molded and contrived in a way that is strangely… plastic? Like if IKEA did wood-inspired tile. (Sorry!)

My gut says ‘no’ but having just renovated our house I can also agree that wood effect tiles are much improved and can actually look/feel very nice (I didn’t choose them in the end but was tempted – more for the floor, in particular). I would also look into Japanese inspired bathrooms for your cabin house – there are so many gorgeous wooden Scandi-feel ones to give you a little more inspiration to stay ‘au naturel’ (or mix it up even) for your house. Good luck Emily!

I like #5 but the other white ones remind me of plaster or papier mache and the dark ones have a real elephant/rhino skin vibe, which is unsettling. They’re probably beautiful in person, but the textures are skeeving me out a bit right now. I’m sure you’ll design beautiful bathrooms that I’ll love, but as an individual component in sample form, it’s not my fav.

Perhaps either just the wood tiles in a bathroom (#1 is the best one in my opinion) OR some pebble tiles, but I would definitely hesitate to do both of these options together in one room for fear of it looking gimmicky. I would then go super clean and modern with the rest of the elements in the bathroom. Good luck! I’m looking forward to seeing the room plans!

My mother installed wood print porcelain tiles in her home in Florida and they look gorgeous. Both her contractors and the people at the Floor and Tile warned against real wood or engineered wood because of all the moisture and humidity. They end up having to be replaced too frequently. She went with a grey wash and they are so practical and good looking. I understand if you are against them on “principle” but they serve an important purpose. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge; and if you need them because of a water issue I say go for it.

I came here to say something similar. We live in humid Houston, TX and installed wood-look tile in our entire house. It is really beautiful and nearly indestructible (two boys, one dog) (although we did find out that roller skates will chip it). I hate to disagree with you Emily, but these floors are a dream. I’d definitely use these tiles again.

I “wood” stay away from this look. Aside from 3 examples above (light almost honed ruff stone tile with invisible grout lines in the bedroom being the best) all the tile still looks forced and hate to say it – cheap. With plethora of natural product, I’m sure you can find something more high end looking. On the other hand how important is the permanence of this product? How about embracing the look of weathered and aged wood. You know modern sauna style with all the imperfections:)

I like options 1, 3 and 6 but voted no. The photos of longer planks behind the bed and bathroom sink are the most successful examples, I can see the end grain also working in those applications. However all of these tiles somehow feel too modern, even for a modern mountain cabin.

Erin Adams has a line of real teak tiles made from reclaimed/recycled wood, suitable for wet environments, possibly too rustic and/or more pattern than you’re looking for, but an interesting alternative to the wood inspired tile (tile inspired wood). Specifically the whitewash finish.

wow. just looked those up and they are amazing. i’m sort of doubtful about the water resistance though. they say you can add a resin coat for “wet” surfaces…like aren’t all would-be tiled areas susceptible to getting wet? these are really cool though and would definitely be cool for a mountain cabin!

My daughter redid her house before moving in, and she wanted to use a medium light brown wood look tiles on her kitchen back splash and in her master shower. It doesn’t really look like wood to me, and I wasn’t on board at the time but I have to say they look great, rustic and its’ super easy to keep clean. But her style is modern farmhouse. So it works for her style. I think that I would use them on the floor but not in a shower or a backs plash, I think in the bathroom or kitchen it would be awesome. I voted I wood. But with restrictions, it has to work with the design and style of the house and be part of the look your going for. Good Luck Emily!

I think the messy geometry in 2 and 6 is much more likely to date. Stick to simple grid if you are going to do it. The only one I like is option one (which I really like) but agree it would be hard to clean in a shower

I said “I Wood” but I am not sure I really love any of the options you have here. The deeply stamped textures look horrible to keep clean and #5 looks way too ‘try hard fake’. We recently put a printed/lightly textured porcelain wood look tile running vertically up the shower wall in our guest bathroom and we love it, I had no idea people were so against wood look tile! It fools a lot of people until they get really close and we have the comfort of knowing we can’t accidentally ruin wood (because it’s tile!)

So I guess I Wood but not with your choices, sorry! They look too try hard for your cabin, in my opinion. I’d probably stick to more real wood colors and not white wood texture.

I like 1 and 5, not so much the other ones. I think it could go too trendy if you use a LOT of it, and if, for example, you used it in every single bathroom. One bathroom? sure, to show it can be done and “push the envelope” stylistically-speaking.

I work in an office that has an outdoorsy, handmade vibe and I have to say, the wood texture (when done subtly) can be very cool. We have a cement wall that is imprinted to look like wood beams. I didn’t notice it right away but once I did, I loved how warm and rich the texture looked (and it’s a cement wall!!) Its not overwhelming and goes so nicely with rich leather furniture and wool blankets. Which is to say — go for it! In limited areas, and done in a restrained way, it really shines and it a fun, tongue in cheek but not kitschy vibe.

I could definitely get on board with experimenting more with (if not committing to) all of them except option 5 – that, I violently dislike. The darker wood-grain effect is just so tacky even in a beautiful, high-end tile. But the others, sure – I can see potential.

Although I can also see these might be a cleaning nightmare? All those little grooves?

I voted NO, but it looks like YES is winning. So, if you go for this wood inspired tile, my vote would be #6. Its texture is more subtle. And from a distance it wouldn’t look like wood, just a textured tile. All the other options look really, really fake and ridiculous.

Wow. I didn’t even think of how difficult it would be to clean a textured tile if it was on the floor or in a shower stall.

That said, I think option one is beautiful, because it DOES look handmade and artistic, rather than uniform and commercial (which is perhaps why #5 is less popular?). If approached as an art installation rather than a faux wood design element, I think it would be beautiful and, if not timeless, at least reasonably long-lasting. To address the valid concerns about cleanliness, just be careful where it’s installed.

Regarding wood-look tile, I am surprised do many commenters dislike it. Hardwood floors are beautiful, but tile often makes more sense–like with dogs, rowdy kids, extremely arid air, or extremely humid air. It may not be right for every space or every style, but it is still valuable in its own right.

Finally–at least you know you can count on your readers to be honest about their opinions. I don’t know how you do it!

Nooooo!! I don’t like these tiles at all. Way too pretentious for a bathroom. Besides, if you have wood everywhere else, you need SOMETHING different in the bath. Like your gorgeous handmade subway tile or something. Anything but this!!!

I think the textured tiles look really beautiful, and prefer the look of them to the ones just printed with a wood grain. However they seem like they’d be a nightmare to keep clean in a bathroom with all of those grooves. So I’m kind of torn. I think 6 is my favorite because it has a pretty textured look but doesn’t have as much variation in texture to collect bathroom gunk. This look could definitely go bad, but I’d be really interested to see you do it because most everything you do is magic!

In the end grain tile (the first sampling you showed), there are only three that look like wood to me. The others look like rough plaster. I love the idea of wood tile, but the selection/implementation is so important. I’m nervous for this one.

I am getting a weird rhinoceros or dinosaur skin vibe from 2, 3 & 4 and then 5 is way too repetitive…it’s not at all a naturally-occurring look! The irregularity of wood grain makes it beautiful, like the tree’s “fingerprints.” 🙂

Nr. 1 is the best thing EVER! So beautiful! I don’t think it tries to be like wood at all. It’s more like it’s some kind of beautiful, tile-ceramic-modern-art-thing. The texture is absolutely gorgeous and I think this could look so very special, but at the same time like “just enough” and not “too much”. And also I think it would work perfect for the minimalist/modern vision you dreamed of in the very beginning, but just as well for the cozy/modern cabin it will be. It’s special, beautiful, looks handcrafted (in a great way), it’s nothing you see everyday but still it’s soft and great to combine with. I’d go for it! 🙂

It’s too soon I think…the faux bois trend will definitely come back around…but it was popular the same time Britney and Justin were an item. Wait for lo-rise pants, body glitter, and smokey eyes to come back. They will be the harbingers that faux bois has returned! LOL

I really like option one because it feels so handmade. I think that the first option has the most potential to be relevant long term. Mostly just because it reminds me of a project made by professional artists I lived across the street from as a child. It so beautiful I never forgot it. They had made stationary from handmade paper and leaves that looked very similar to the tile – it was all white and had the imprint of leaves and the paper was highly textured. This was about 30 years ago (the artists were in their 60s at the time and well beyond youthful experimentation), so I think the idea has staying power. As for their taste level, they had original Eero Aarnio Ball Chairs in their living room and he drove a mini cooper from England.

I see where you’re going with this, you need something that looks “fake” enough so that no one is under the impression you’re trying to pretend it’s wood (like with the porcelain floor boards)… but still “wood inspired” to fit in the woodsy/cabin theme… I want to like them, but I just don’t. Wah. I was on the fence until you said “gimmicky” and I think that describes them perfectly. I fear you will dislike them in 2 years. Do I have a reasonable alternative? No. Ha.

There is a big difference between walls and floor. If you put wood-inspired tile on the floor, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Your feet touch the floor all the time, especially in the bathroom, and it’s cold, and wet, and totally tile. The fakeness comes out and you’ll hate it. But on the walls, it doesn’t matter at all, because you rarely touch the walls. I’m very happy with wood-looking tiled walls.

#1 is far and away the best and will last the test of time! It looks like porcelain made to look like wood, not wood that has been painted, and for that, it will stand the test of time. #2 and #6 have too much going on with the textures AND the different shapes. #3 and #4 look like plastic in photographs :/ #5 isn’t bad, but it doesn’t have the wow factor of #1….it doesn’t look as high end. Go with the first one for sure!!!!

These tiles remind me so much of board formed concrete! Option 1 is very intriguing, I love the texture and variation, but I would never want to use it in a shower or on the floor due to maintenance. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to clean … especially if you are going to be renting it! Option 5 feels way to try-hard to me and is a definite ‘No’ in my book.

Not a huge fan of something that’s trying to look like something it’s not. Also agree it could be (hopefully) a rapidly passing trend. The beauty of wood is it’s warmth and texture. Let wood be wood and let tile be tile!
Keep true to your Scandinavian real, honest, simple, warm. You’ll find it!

No to wood look tiles! Too trendy and may be a nightmare to clean and keep clean with all that texture. If this is a vacation home, you might spend too much time maintaining this type of tile. 😀. Love how open you are to suggestions!

I saw the title of this post and thought, “No way. I’ll definitely be voting no for this one.” But then I saw your explanations and photos of the pretty-but-not-trying-to-be-actual-wood choices, and I voted yes! 🙂

In the minority here, but these do not work for me, not even a little bit. I think this look will feel dated in less than a year. There’s something I find a little uncanny about the aesthetic, and try-hard is exactly the word I would use to describe how it feels to me from an editorial lens. There’s something very “hotel” about this tile, and not in the good hotel way.

I’m torn! It’s hard to imagine it since there are no great examples out there (yet). But as with the pebble tile, this could be an opportunity for you to be a pioneer and show us how beautiful it can be.

#1 is my favorite. #6 is also good, but it’s a bit hard to tell on screen. If done in the right way (subtle, understated, white), I think it could be good.

I voted a cautious “yes” but now I’m having second thoughts. If you have a Pebble Bathroom and a “Wood” Bathroom, does the house start to veer too far into theme-y territory? Like one of those hotels where you’re in the “Seagull Room” or the “Mountain Room” ? The best sample is #1 by far. #s 3, 4, 5, 6 are a big Yikes from me.

I think you could make these look great, but I’m not a fan. I think they’ll end up looking dated really fast. Also, agree with someone who said the wood tile on the floor could work, but as a shower surround/backsplash it would make the “fake-ness” of the material stand out in a bad way.

I “wood”, but not #5. That one does not have enough variation, all tiles look the same, and is too close to the printed wood tile thing that can go so wrong. Keep it subtle and simple. #1 may have too much texture. Otherwise, white wood texture in a cabin could be great.

I am not fond of option 5. Wood textures are definitely more timeless than the print with any simulated color. Option 5 and any grain printed (by color) evoke the 70’s wood paneling nightmare. I know you will make great choices. I wood definitely go with the textures. 🙂

Ugh, no! My biggest beef with these things (other than the fact that they’ve been done to death for the last 8 years), is the GROUT! It’s SUCH a dead giveaway that it’s not real. And the sound they make when you walk on them, that hollow cold sound. Just, NO. It’s so trendy, you’re going to hate yourself for this two years down the road. Tile isn’t something easy to replace, so I say stick with classics.

So I voted ‘I wood’ but I actually don’t care for the white versions. I can really dig the dark ones though!!! Black feels more modern yet cozy to me – two things I think you are trying for in this house. I usually am firmly planted in the ‘paint it white’ crowd….but not for this one! I’m sure it’ll look beautiful no matter what (and likely end up being my favorite element in the end), I’m just really having a hard getting there from these photos. As always – loving this design/decide endeavor!

I’m sorry I just can’t with faux wood tile. It looks so cheesy no matter how high end or hand made. From the photos it looks like Cle did a nice job of trying but I can’t. It’s one of those home interior trends we’ll look back on a say “yep, they did this in the 2000-teens.” You summed it up with this sentence. “But historically we are taught to avoid things that are trying to be “natural”. It could be gimmicky, feel forced or try-hard.” Bingo, but looks like I’m in the minority again!

My vote depends almost entirely on where you use it. In a shower? No. Maaaaybe #5, if it’s smooth. But the others…imagine trying to scrub soap scum off those :/ However…sink backsplash? Yes! And those square endgrain tiles in white would be lovely in a kitchen!

You have great taste and I’m sure you could make any one of these options work! That being said, I recently brought home some wood-grain tile samples for a kitchen floor and putting my bare feet on most of them felt HORRIBLE! Like nails on a chalkboard, chewing aluminum foil, cringe-factor 10,000 horrible. When they’re textured to look more natural (rather than just cheesy and printed) they did not feel good to me.

Love the wood tile, especially for a bathroom! What a pretty practical solution. Not sure about colors that are not natural for wood, blues etc,
But I would definitely use a natural version in my own home.
My daughter owns a dance studio and put a wood tile floor in her reception and parent seating area. Looks like hardwood but is so forgiving to all the traffic.

I’ve seen wood look tiles done really well and for a mountain cabin that’s going to be exposed to a whole lot of moisture (snow melt in winter, coming in wet from the lake in summer), I’d be all over it. It can be practical and beautiful, particularly on the main living level and in a kitchen.

I like 1 and 6 but what color grout would you use? I’d be hesitant with a white for fear of staining easily.

I have hives just THINKING about the cleanliness of these (or any) textured tiles in a bathroom, especially in a rental. Blechhhh. I do like the look of #1. There’s a place for it somewhere in your cabin, but not the bathroom. 🙂

This reminds me of board form concrete modernist houses, in a good way. I personally love the wood reference that isn’t actually wood and I don’t see why it can’t be timeless like modernist architecture.

I’m really interested to see where you go with this one. I’m personally not a huge fan of any of the options, but I voted yes because I’d love to see you take the risk. You seem to make everything look gorgeous, so I say go for it. Hell, it could be dated in a couple of years, but that would give you a good excuse to redo it! 🙂

And I’m SUPER interested to hear what you have to say about printed wood-look porcelain tiles upping their game. In general, I agree that real is always the right choice, but hardwood flooring just isn’t an option for so many people for a myriad of reasons. Excited to read this post when it comes out!

I voted no and am shocked that “I wood not” is so far behind “I wood.” Since the pro-vote is leading, I really only like #1 and #6 with a strong preference for #1. I’m sure you will make it work no matter what.

I do think these can give you that “natural” element and warmth you’re looking for. I love the “stamped” ones, but I’m not completely sold on the printed. Though I’m sure since they are great quality they are 👌 in real life and they just aren’t translating well through the pictures. I’m sure you’d do them justice!💪

I am so curious about why you seem to want to replicate every natural element that is going to occur outside your mountain home inside the mountain home. Is this a compromise you’ve reached with Brian? Are you trying for more “editorial” content? Are you just trying to stretch yourself as a designer? One of the things I hate (and I realize this is a personal opinion) about many cabins is the overuse of wood and rock (i.e. rocked fireplace, wood on floors, walls and ceiling and wood look tiles) as design materials with forest greens and brown dominating the color palette to “echo nature”. I would much rather see a design style focusing on big windows that let the outdoors in (which I know you are trying to incorporate) and textures, materials and colors that make the space feel cozy, warm, fresh and that complement the environment rather than imitating it. Why have pebbles on your shower floor and wood look tile when you will have the real thing outdoors (and presumably lots of beautiful real wood throughout your home on the floors, from furniture, etc. if you are really going to design in keeping with your refined scandanavian chalet style). I will run screaming for the proverbial hills if there is a subsequent design post about how to incorporate pinecones or a stream inside the house. Please make your house another Youxi988 original instead of this weird trendy pebble, wood tile mash up. I want to see Emily’s talent not what the crowd votes in!

I wood:) I actually do prefer the darker options, but for the white-ish, I like #1 and #6 (although I do have grout concerns). I hate option #5.

My mom and I are getting ready for a kitchen remodel, but the first step is going to be unifying the first floor flooring. Currently, it’s a mix of laminate and carpet. Our first though was absolutely no fake wood. We’re afraid of noticeable grain repetitions and yes the whole “why buy a fake something instead of the real thing”.

After exhaustive searching we’ve landed on a wood look laminate/vinyl. It’s not the cheapest option – we have wood options in the same price. range. It’s not installed yet, but even though we were both dead set against it in the beginning it’s clearly the best option for the house.

I haven’t voted yet bc I can’t decide! The comments are so compelling for both sides. That end grain fascinates me (gym floors also fascinated me as a kid), it’s definitely eye catching enough that I think I could love with it…but then again, it also gives me the feeling of being stuck behind a pile of lumber. Ill 100% confess that I don’t know where I stand on this one! (Well…I guess I stand behind a pile of lumber but I’m not mad about it because it’s fun to look at… ).

I think #1 is especially appealing–shape/size of tile and the “handmade” texture–they don’t feel like they are pretending to be wood but rather highlighting a beautiful pattern from nature in clay.

I would want to be sure there is enough variety of textures to work with, and that they can be laid in different orientation for more variety (easiest with square tiles),and that the area to be tiled is not too large. I would definitely experiment with enough tile to cover the area before committing to it, to make sure you are happy with the pattern you end up with.

I bet you could use them in a way you will still love long into the future!

And just as an aside, in some floor applications, there are nice long “wood plank” tiles that do look great–but they look MUCH better when laid with grout lines randomly placed (as is done with real wood floor planks) rather than symmetrically arranged (as with tile). Of course, to do this you need lengths that are not uniform so have to start some rows with a cut tile and place tiles carefully so they don’t look too uniform. Works best in a small area (bathroom or mudroom). In a larger room, the overly uniform look can’t really be avoided so better to pick something else.

1, 3, and 6 – heck yes. I got really excited about these particular options and like you I generally tend to turn up my nose at imitation things. These reference wood without trying to be faux wood, I think, and seem like a fresh design product. Especially in not-brown. (Love that black backspash in one of the first photos with the gray sea out the window but I hear you on not being able to do dark spaces!)

Big fan of the Ann Sacks and the Cle Tile versions. I almost presented the cle tile version for a client project but he (the client) didn’t go for it. I was slightly heartbroken but we moved on to a pretty cool design. I would totally do wood looking tile 😉

If you want rustic, why can’t it be an off-white handmade tile with a vintagey crackle glaze, something that feels substantial and chunky, maybe a wavy surface, that feels like it’s been there forever. Not this… whatever this is. Bad wood.

I’m intrigued but PLEASE don’t use the tiles from #5… they remind me of the cheap particle board used in the faux luxury apartments that have been popping up all over my city. Definitely not the vibe you’re going for!

I recently used wood tiles in the bathroom renovation, combined with grey and white tiles. And it looks really good. I think that the key is to make it look like you really used wood – so do not use it on one wall, but “carve” shower corner, if you would say it so in English, or put it only on the floor, where wooden floor is expected. I don’t like imitations, but this works surprisingly beautiful.

I like 1, but calling it “wood inspired” sort of seems like a nicer way of saying “faux wood”, and the line distinguishing the two is not apparent (at least to me).

This post also made me think of a prior post on things that look “faux aged”. Of course, I totally understand that there are exceptions to every rule, and if anyone is going to make it work, it’s EHD. I just wish it was somehow easier for the rest of us to figure out when something is an exception or not!

I like the look of the wood tile but I feel that it lacks the warmth of wood so I voted no. With that said I also believe that if anyone can pull it off it would definitely be you Emily. Happy designing.

I hate wood tile, it always looks cheap to me, however the stamped tile in white is the reason I voted yes (I do like the same tile in the mix of browns too though). It’s not trying to be wood, for me it feels more like a slice of petrified wood than a tile that has a print of what wood looks like on it. I also like the idea of the tile being square, like they just cut off the end of 4×4’s to make them, very modern and still feeling like actual wood. I don’t like the Cle marble/wood grain, it still felt cheap even though it’s a cement tile, and I generally like Cle designs. Whatever you do will be beautiful.

I love options 1 and 6 – I would install them in a heartbeat! But I’d be hesitant about the others, especially option 5… it just feels like it could go a little too trendy and contemporary (i.e. something you’ll be tired of and/or find tacky in a few years) and kind of has that feel of trying to BE wood instead of conjuring the IDEA of wood.

I don’t know that I would try this because I would worry about all of the things you mentioned – that it would look cheesy or dated too quickly or too try hard. But in your capable hands I have NO doubt that it would turn out amazing. I voted yes because I’d like to see what you can do with it and I’d like to see you challenge the status quo of what’s “good” and “bad”. Also, I think it is actually a good blend of warm and clean. I like #1 and #6 the best. Can’t wait to see what you do!

I LOVE all of these except number 5! I don’t think it’s enough of a big trend to feel dated in a few years and white always ages the best so it doesn’t feel to me like it will be “bad” annnnnnytime soon. Do it!!

Wow, Emily! I don’t know how you and your team do it. Some of the comments your readers often leave sound like the check to pay for YOUR house is being cut from their bank account. You keep doing you, and I appreciate your in-depth FREE advice!

#6 is lovely, subtle, and calming. #1 is nice but may be too busy, good Ina small area. #’s 2 & 4 are reminiscent of Japanese charred wood which would be a nice mix with other wood tones, but not everything has to be brown wood in the PNW. I’m all for fresh and light in the dreary PNW.

We used wood grained tile (6″x36″ planks) in our high traffic family room. I could not be happier! We actually added a heated floor element underneath and it is the happiest room in our Seattle home October-April! Consider heating the floor!!! I think this is an awesome choice for your mountain home!

It’s interesting and it does seem to look considerably better in person than in photos. I would be curious to see it done well. The texture of #1 particularly is intriguing. But the smooth surface of #5 could more easily be used in combination with another tile, which could be even better. I fear that it will look dated, although keeping all the tile (in an entire bathroom say) white, would help it appear more timeless.

If anyone could pull this off, it would be you and your team. I like the white. I would not do it in my own home because I could not do it successfully without hiring your team that no longer works on client homes.

I like 1. I think 5 is horrid. Also, many Starbucks put the “wood inspired tiles” in their establishments. Most of the samples remind me of various Starbucks that I have visited if you are going for that look…

Aren’t there so many beautiful, original tiles out there in the world that you don’t need to do this though?

Such impassioned comments! #5 is my least favorite but I think any of them would look great if styled right. Most of the patterns are so subtle that they might not look so dated soon. I like that you’re trying new stuff as it’s the perfect time to do it.

I voted yes, but I only like the white textured tiles. I think it can look nice because tiles with some pattern and surprise can be great… but it’s hard to believe anyone else is gonna feel a warm woody vibe from them. It is like an evocation of the idea of wood in a modern sterile way.

I voted no to these wood tiles. Especially for shower surrounds and backsplashes. I think you can use more interesting tile that evokes Scandinavian modern cabin and use real wood for vanity. I also suggest having a beautiful clear cedar ceiling. Cedar is fine in bathrooms and can handle moisture and steam. We have it installed in our master bathroom in PDX and it’s still stunning after 18 years.

I voted no. I think adding real wood to vanities is the way to go. I thinking adding clear cedar paneling to your ceiling would bring in the cabin feel and be beautiful. We have it in our master bathroom in PDX and it’s still stunning after 18 years. It holds up well to moisture and steam. I think you have an opportunity for stepping outside the box in tiles that represent Scandinavian modern like your narrow verticals in either cement grays or a earthy green. I think maybe clean cement or looking or gray tiles would compliment the wood and be modern. I was just in Scandinavia this fall..Sweden, Copenhagen and Iceland and was inspired by those colors with hand woven textiles.

NO. Please don’t. Do real wood instead (maybe on the ceiling or in places where it won’t be damaged by water). Wood-like tiles will look dated in a few years, and in my opinion they can only look good when paired with marble flooring/tile flooring, and in a house that has NO real wood anywhere else. If you have real hardwood floorings in your cabin then the fake wood in the bathroom will look “wrong”.

#1 is the only one that likely would work in my opinion. I guess would also want to know how they age, do all those crevices get discolored and yucky without very frequent cleaning/ scrubbing if in a shower?

Emily
These tiles remind me of the way wood is used in concrete shuttering and then left with the grain showing – think Le Corbusier. He used this so effectively and the result is so soft and natural giving the best of both materials, without either one trying to be anything other than what it is.
This photo show how wonderful this looks –
I recommend going for it with the textured tiles, not a mad fan of the fake wood look, but the ones you have found are timeless.
Emma x (from the UK)

Hey emily! Love you and your work and appreciate your effort to push the envelope but stay true to yourself, too! Isn’t that the line we all walk in our home designs, just with a (much) smaller audience and (much) smaller budget?! That being said, I’ve loved some of your ‘stretches’ for the cabin, but these samples don’t feel high end and timeless. I actually love the idea of you doing the super colorful ‘wood’ option shown above in a powder in the cabin as a fun and funky take on the ‘wood’ element—that seems much more ‘you’ than the rest of these. But then again, we only know you through the blog, so maybe these wood options really do make your heart sing. Of the samples, one is the only one I see potential with, and the only one I’m at all interested in seeing in a scale larger than sample. The texture of one is unique and legitimately looks natural, so I think it would tie in. The rest, not so much.
Even though there’s ‘negative’ feedback on this post, and probably other cabin posts because you are asking our opinions more, I hope you know we still LOVE you and your work! EHD is by far my favorite design blog, and frankly the only ‘blog’ I still visit daily outside of Instagram. Y’all are awesome and thank you!!!

Here’s the big question: do you want your mountain home to date quickly and require a renovation in 5 years? Because I think that is what will happen if you install wood tiles. Maybe that’s ok because you are in the line of work that allows for renovations to happen more easily… but if you want your mountain retreat to be a restful, calm place that you won’t have to rip apart in a couple years, then stick with timeless and classic. You can still have the look and feel you want without going too trendy. Just my opinion.

I’m not 100% for or against. I really like options 1,3,4, and 6. The subtle wood grain and texture without the real fake idea of it. Really loving rectangular tile in a parquet pattern right now, which the smaller tiles could probs look pretty cool in actually.

Hi Emily! Coming from Italy, I love the option 1 and 4, and would put the tiles close together, without the grout. In my bathroom I actually used really big tiles (15″ x 23″) that looks lie wood, dark brown and it looks amazing in my opinion. I think US needs a couple of years to catch up on European style! 😉
Good luck with picking the tiles and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

I like the one from Ann Sacks. I think it is more timeless and if it were me I would love it for years to come. It’s sort of how the basic white tile never gets old , but with a tinge of rustic flare- perfect for a Mountain home 🏠!

option 1 is great! I work in commercial design and we use wood look tile a lot – it has to be done right and have the right texture, color, etc, but don’t right they WORK!! it can be done so bad – as you know – but they can also be done well, and durability means a lot! yes its nice to be totally authentic with materials all the time, but sometimes you cant be – and that’s ok!

It’s interesting; I react positively to some of these and really negatively to others. I like the first option a lot, and HATE the cle ones. The darker option in the 1-6 image is also really nice. Basically, I think for me, the texture makes the difference. But it’s funny you say that you don’t think they’re ‘trying to be’ wood, because to me, the ones that are ‘trying less hard’ look the oddest! Overall, i think I’d prefer tile that looks like tile, and incorporating actual wood elsewhere, or in a different way.

The fact that most of the commenters are saying, hell no, makes my answer a clear, hell yes do it!! I come here because I like your style and I want to see what YOU would do in a space – not to see something I might be able to formulate myself or to see something your readers pressure you into doing. At this point we all know how to do white subway tile laid in various patterns – I’d love to see you try any of the above because yeah, most people would never. Even if I don’t care for it in the end I say go for it. Also, maybe if you consistently said, “my version” of Scandinavian people wouldn’t get so gripey about you needing to go visit. So fun seeing it all take shape Emily!

LOVE where your are going with this! It is beautiful! Our neighbor did something similar when they built their home and I love it so much! Our family lives in Sweden and we go there often. – You have nailed it & are totally going in the right direction with such a cool, unique vibe! So great that it makes some people uncomfortable as you pave the way to awesome, innovative design! LOVE watching what you come up with and thank you for sharing your journey with us! 🙂

I do see potential for #1 to be timeless, even though I voted “no” due to the overall wood tile look becoming dated. It’s hard to tell from the picture, but #1 looks like an interesting and beautiful texture on its own, without trying to hard to imitate wood. Done in a light color like you mentioned, and paired with timeless bathroom fixtures and accessories, it could be really beautiful!

I feel like I learned the design advice from you that fake is never timeless nor sophisticated…. :/ I’m not a fan of faux wood or faux stone or faux brick. Each element is great when it is itself, but never the imitation.

Do your thing, eff the haters, I think this is cool as you mentioned in a small dose and a subtle way. Let’s take some risks, folks, it’s just tile on one wall in one house we aren’t negotiating the nuclear arms treaty. And you can call something scandi without it being historically/materially/regionally perfectly accurate to place so do it/call it whatever you want xo

I can see how this could be seen as trendy/ gimmicky, but I think it all depends on what you pair it with, and I am confident you would make it look amazing, Emily!

My favourites are 1, 5 and 6. It seems like 5 is getting a lot of hate, but I think it looks lovely in the white because it isn’t trying to disguise itself as wood, it is just highlighting the beautiful pattern of woodgrain.

I really hope you end up using one of these options because I’m dying to see the finished product!

I’m into the wood tile aspect and don’t think this design element will look dated in a few years. While I voted in favor of wood inspired tile, I agree with some commenters that #5 isn’t as strong a contender. For me, the two “stripes” in each tile distract from the wood effect. #1 looks sooo cool and is aesthetically my favorite, but now that folks mention the cleaning issue, I do wonder. The others seem easy enough to maintain. Excited to see what you end up doing!

Also, I live in L.A. and pine (ha, get it?) for a not-too-far cabin in the woods I can scurry off to with the family on the weekends. Are you keeping the general location area private or did I miss that detail? Wondering if this is near Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear or someplace more distant…

I think some of these tiles look like poured concrete retaining or foundation walls that have been made with wood framing. You know what I’m talking about? They pour the concrete into the wood frame and then take the frame away and the concrete wall has all this lovely wood texture, knots and all. I especially like number 6. Its like that concrete – the memory of wood. I love the white ones. They’d feel lovely in the shower.

Real wood, light toned floors through the rest of the house “yes”, faux wood in the bathroom on the walls and back splash definitely not.

Scandinavian style works because it is “honest” to the materials used. Form follows function and these tiles would be pain to clean with mold and grime collecting in the corners. Therefore a function fail.

I think one of the reasons Scandinavian style is so appealing is that it is simple and not trying too hard. It stays honest to the materials used and a large part of this is functionality. Utility above decoration.

Although pretty to look at, I would question whether these tiles meet those criteria?

Faux bois has long been a design staple in the interior world. Some of these tiles remind me very much of faux bois and so I do not think it compromises your need for high design!!!!

I understand your worries about wanting to be on trend but then not liking a trend in a few years. Its so hard with the internet and the constant exposure to a design trend makes it lose its excitement so quickly. I worry about this too, when I am making choices!

Faux bois has never gone out of style – as most really good design does not. So I say go for it!!!!

I think the textured tile is really pretty, and I’d love to see what you do with it! Tile can be a little cold, but this really warms it up and makes it more interesting. I agree with others than I’m not such a fan of #5 … it reminds me of the faux-wood tile that many people are putting in laundry and mudrooms. It’s great for those purposes, but it’s just doesn’t have the same qualities that the other tile options do.

My favorite is # 4, because it’s black, which is cool, timeless, and easy to keep looking clean. Also, it’s wood inspired texture, not trying to mimic wood. I think if you are doubting the wood inspired tile in any way, #4 could be way more open to interpretation, which is what classic is anyway.

wood inspired tiles are definitely risky. we’ve all seen the porcelain tiles over-used and they don’t look good. but, those handmade tiles add a different element. if anyone can make this work, its you. do it!

I like #3 and #6 they both look calmer and less busy. Agree that it would look best with more modern fixtures. I seem to be in the minority in thinking the tile that looks like and “end cut” would look busy and a little cheesy like a homemade wood shop solution from Mother Earth News. Not to offend, there is definitely a place for that lifestyle.

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Hello!

Emily is a stylist, author and T.V. host with a strong commitment to vintage inspired approachable home style for every single person. Perfection is boring; Let’s get weird. learn more

Interior Design Blog by Youxi988

I started this interior design blog in 2010 as a journal of my style and home projects with the belief that design should be approachable, informational and accessible no matter what budget.

As a home style expert who has a strong commitment to peeling back the intimidating layers of the world of home decor, and showing how every person can have a beautiful home that represents their personality, no matter what the budget.

After styling for magazines and catalogues for years, I started my own interior design blog, won HGTV Design Star, and have gone on to host my own hit TV show Secrets from a Stylist, Author the book STYLED, and create the design firm Youxi988 Design.

My motto has always been to write and publish on my blog what I personally want to read about.